Al & Irene T

Mom (Irene) and Dad (Alphonse) were hard workers coming from family farms up north. Dad liked John Deere and Ford.  He became a welder and had a boilers license.  He worked at Amour's in South St Paul until the plant closed.  He could fix just about anything which he did often for family friends and neighbors.  Whenever we broke anything, we'd say "Don't worry, Daddy can weld it."  

Mom and Dad grew up right during the depression.   So, the were the original reuse and repurposing generation.  They began married life in Inver Grove Heights but moved us to Denmark Township on a hobby farm when we were in elementary school. They believed in community and helping others.

Mom collected Hummel figurines, bells, and LOVED the holidays.  We had tons of Christmas decorations!  When we were young, she sold Avon, so she had collections of perfume and after shave decanters. She also sold and collected Princess House Crystal.  (I still have a garage full of boxes of crystal so if you run into anyone looking for Princess House, reach to me!)

Dad collected aluminum took it to recycling. :)  Since he was a welder, he collected various metals that he could re-purpose.  He bought an old John Deere Tractor and manure spreader and re-constructed them.   They were junk and he made them beautiful!  

Mom and Dad liked to entertain having many guests over throughout the years where the green chairs came in handy especially for card club nights. Just about every Saturday night, they entertained.  My sister and I would bake the dessert for the evening.  We have pictures and memories of the red highchair.  It held us and our children thru the years.

Mom and Dad with people of faith.  They had various religious items around the house, pictures, statutes, etc.. The Conservatory has several of those items in their collection.